India’s age group boys caught attention of all since the senior team got some of its finest players.
India’s age group boys caught attention of all since the senior team got some of its finest players in Irfan Pathan, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammed Kaif, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma from this age group level.
After India won the U-19 World Cup in Malaysia last year under Delhi’s Virat Kohli’s captaincy, a new set of under-19 players are ready to take on the mantle for the tough tour Down Under.
And this time it’s going to be Rajasthan’s 18-year-old player Ashok Maneria who will be leading the India colts, but the confident youngster is not wary of the tough road ahead.
“I knew I would be there in the squad but did not expect to be the captain… it came as a surprise, however, it’s quite a challenging job and hoping to enjoy it as well. Yeah there are players from different regions and cultures so it is quite interesting to interact with them,” said Maneria.
“The way I performed scoring a 97 and 80 in the U-17 tournament and then three half centuries in Cooch Behar Trophy, I was expecting something good to happen. And now I am here by the God’s grace,” he added.
Maneria, who’s pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in commerce from Rajasthan’s MB College, knows that the platform in which he will be playing is very crucial.
“I know this is the most crucial phase of my life which can only help me build my career in the future. Many cricketers have gone to play for India by performing at this level and I am looking forward to it too. I am keen to perform consistently that would help me in future,” he said.
Maneria is happy with the way the team’s preparation has been going on at MCA ground in Bandra-Kurla Complex ahead of the crucial Australia series. “It has been only two days and the players are gelling really well. The facilities have been really good here and our coach Chandrakant Pandit is helping us a lot. The conditions in Australia will be different from here with bouncy wickets and different weather and the guys are really looking forward to the tour,” he said.
Rajasthan has not produced many cricketers for the national team — the most recent being Gagan Khoda. However, the scenario might change feels Maneria. “Earlier there were no great facilities and hardly anybody could manage to make it to the big league. But now our facilities have improved a lot. We have one of the best grounds, indoor training centres and state of art facilities,” said Maneria, who took up the sport in 2001 at the behest of his uncle.
India will play three one day Internationals and two three-dayers starting April 4 in Australia.
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